Debra J. (Hayes) Avenarius, 64, of Dubuque peacefully passed away on Monday, February 26, 2018 while she was comforted and held by her immediate family at Dubuque Specialty Care.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 am, Friday, March 2, 2018 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service 3860 Asbury Rd. Family will greet friends 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the funeral home. Her final resting place will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Deb was born July 12, 1953 in Dubuque the daughter of Jerry and Joann (Rossman) Hayes. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1971 and then worked at Molo prior to marrying Mike Avenarius on December 9, 1972.

Deb was a homemaker, a loving in-home daycare provider and also enjoyed being an Avon Representative.

She truly loved and enjoyed all of her special times with her grandkids, nieces, nephews and her daycare children. Deb especially enjoyed going to BINGO with her sisters and had many fond memories of fun times together.

Survivors include her husband, Mike; their son, Ryan (Stacy) Avenarius of Dubuque; 3 grandchildren, Clara Avenarius, Kiernan Shaffer, and Kayla Shaffer; siblings, Mike (Patty) Hayes, Karen Kutsch , Jeff (Carolyn) Hayes, Lynn (Tom) Dotterweich, Jerry Hayes, David (Penny) Hayes, and Jim Hayes; in-laws, Michele (Mike) Schetgen, Mark Avenarius, and Todd (Theresa) Avenarius; and many nieces and nephews.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Jerry Hayes; and her father and mother in-law, Clarence and Ellie Avenarius.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for all their care and concern during these final days after her very courageous and long struggle with MS.

A memorial fund has been established in Debra’s memory.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hskfh.com